Blyde Canyon White Water Rafting

The Blyde River in Mpumalanga is probably one of the most stunning rivers in the country and has rather steep gradients which make for some intense South African white water rafting. As the third biggest Canyon and the largest vegetated canyon in the world it is one of the best white water sections in South Africa.

Blyde Canyon offers exciting Blyde Canyon white water rafting and tubing on the Blyde River and nearby Olifants River. Day trips and overnight trips are both available.

All whitewater trips are run in accordance with the APA River Safety Code and Code of Practice. A detailed safety briefing precedes each river trip. Participants need no prior experience but should not be afraid to float in swift water with a buoyancy aid and should be essentially healthy. No alcohol 8 hours before or during paddling activities.

UPPER BLYDE WHITE WATER RAFTING:

The canyon is an un-spoilt wilderness area with spectacular scenery. Rapids range from steep pool-drops to long, technical rapids. Picnic Lunch is serve on the river bank and ice cold beer or cold drinks on the boat to end the trip while taking a scenic boat trip over the dam. The day trip ends near Swadini where the boat comes ashore,

An overnight trip is also available, where paddlers sleep at “Wet Camel” – where the Blyde River enters the Blydepoort Dam at the foot of the famous Three Rondavels.

Wet Camel is a rustic bush camp with small A-frame huts each with two mattresses, an outdoor kitchen/dining area and a bush shower with a long drop for a toilet. Don't expect five-star luxury here but enjoy the evening meal around the campfire and an early morning hike in the canyon. The motor boat ride to the end point follows a late breakfast on day two.

Location: Starts in the Mariepskop Forestry Reserve, ends where the Blyde River enters the Blydepoort Dam.

Duration: Full day (6am to 5pm) or overnight (6am on day 1 to 11:30 am on day 2 )

Length: 8km whitewater plus 5km motor boat cruise over dam.

Difficulty: Class 3-4 Type: Steep pool-drop, some long, technical rapids.

Difficulty is rated on a scale from 1 to 6, where Class 1 is moving water, Class 2 and 3 offer great excitement and Class 4 is truly challenging. A class 5 rapid is extremely difficult, long and very violent (first-time paddlers certainly don't do them). Class 6 is essentially unrunnable, until some insane kayakers survive it and the rapid's rating may be changed to Class 5. Flipping the raft or falling out and having a swim is part of river rafting. Although few people ever end up swimming in the Lower Blyde, everyone has a swim in the Blyde Canyon.

OLIFANTSRIVER RAFTING:

The Olifants River is a high volume river that’s great fun for experienced and inexperienced paddlers alike. On the Olifantsriver you will get the experience class 3 to 4 rapids with a raft that swings slowly into the current, then towards a giant wave that somehow, at close range seems silent changing into wave trains, standing waves, pour-over and holes resulting in exciting and unforgettable rafting. The river passes through a remote tribal wilderness area, surrounded by spectacular kloofs and joins up with the half day section just outside the gorge

There are 2 sections for paddlers to run. The upper section starts at the confluence of the Olifants and Steelpoort rivers. This section is 45km long and goes through the Olifants Gorge and joins up at the beginning of the lower section. The lower section is 12km long - lots of big waves and fun rapids, and ends at Manoutsa Park. These 2 sections can also be combined into a 2 day trip, or a 1 day trip on high levels.

Duration: Half day (9am to 4pm)

Length: 12 km whitewater rafting

Difficulty: Its difficulty is graded as Class 1-3, going up to class 4 with high water levels.

LOWER BLYDE RAFTING & TUBING:

Enjoy a laidback and relaxing introduction to white water rafting. 3km of mild rapids weaving through beautiful scenic vegetation and outstanding birdlife viewing. Old and Young can join in the fun, as this river accommodates all ages. This section can either be tubed or rafted depending on water levels.

High water levels' “extreme tubing” - This is a real adrenaline packed hour “not for the faint hearted.”

This milder section of the Blyde below the Blydepoort dam has class 2-3 rapids with lots of play spots and easy access from tar roads which run along the river.

Duration:

• 3 km rafting or tubing - 1 hour
• 6 km rafting or tubing - 2 hours
• Tubing only - 1 hour.

Blyde River (in the region of the Blyde Dam) and Olifants River, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

2-person "Croc Rafts" are used for rafting. These forgiving boats are ideal for our river conditions, from the mild Lower Blyde to the challenging Blyde Canyon. Participants paddle their own boats (2 per boat) and guides go along in their own craft. Each participant is issued with a buoyancy aid, a helmet and, of course, a two-bladed paddle.

Participants will be assisted by highly experienced guides.

Day trips include boat transfers, a picnic lunch and drinks. Overnight trips also include meals and camping accommodation.

Please bring along: Shorts, T-shirts, swimming costume, sun-block, shoes you can swim in, walking shoes, towel and a sense of adventure.

Rapids are challenging and exciting and you need a degree of physical fitness. An age restriction of No Under 16s applies for rafting; Tubing is No Under 10s.

WHITEWATER RAFTING DAY TRIPS: Minimum requirement per booking = 6 persons.

LOWER BLYDE RIVER RAFTING (3km) & TUBING: Minimum requirement per booking = 4 persons.

WHITEWATER RAFTING OVERNIGHT TRIPS: Minimum requirement per booking = 6 persons.